redsox10708
Level 1
(0 points)
Q: Install Windows 8.1 With ISO and Product Key?
Hi there. I've never used boot camp before and am hoping to install Windows 8 on my iMac 5k I recently purchased. I am hoping to do this as cheaply as possible (without breaking any laws!). I saw Microsoft offers an ISO of Windows 8.1 on their website, which required a product key to activate. Could I download the 64bit version of the ISO and install it using boot camp? I do not have any previous version of Windows installed on my Mac. If this works, will Windows prompt me to enter a product key right after it installs? I see there are a lot of Windows 8 product keys for sale on eBay and similar sites, so I was hoping to purchase one to activate Windows. Want to make sure this would work though.
Any advice is appreciated, thanks a lot!
iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)
Loner T
Level 7
(23,898 points)
W8.1 can be installed without activation using the ISO available at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/home for a limited time, but you will be constantly nagged for a product key and activation.
If you plan to buy a key from eBay, you must get assurances from the seller on returns, if the key does not work (has a questionable past). You must also reassure the seller that if you return it you will remove windows from your Mac.
To install W8.1, please follow - How to install Windows using Boot Camp - Apple Support . Please see https://help.apple.com/bootcamp/assistant/6.0/ for BC Assistant details.
